News / International
Russia’s Gazprom to halve its Novatek stake
The Russian daily Kommersant reported that Gazprom is planning to swap more than half of its shares in Novatek for 51% of Sibneftegaz. Syria to Buy Azerbaijani Gas
Syria made an agreement with Azerbaijan to buy 1 to 1.5 billion cubic meters of Azerbaijani gas annually through Turkey. Abu Dhabi: Takreer signs $9.6b deals to boost capacity
Takreer, Abu Dhabi's oil refining company inked four agreements worth $9.6 billion (Dh35.25 billion) with four Korean companies to expand its oil refining capacity in Ruwais by the end of 2013, according to WAM the Emirati News Agency. Iran to tender 8 exploration blocks
"We are planning to hold tenders on eight exploration blocks soon. We are currently preparing the needed documents on these blocks," Mahmoud Mohaddes, exploration chief at National Iranian Oil Company, was quoted as saying by the semi-official Mehr News Agency. Aramco to drill in Red Sea’s deep waters
The giant state-owned company Saudi Aramco is planning to explore in deeper offshore areas of the Red Sea on a search for new energy treasures in the next two years. Potential for more Israeli gas finds
Noble Energy, the explorer that was part of the biggest natural gas discovery in Israel, sees potential for additional finds in the Jewish country. DNO updates drilling operations in Yemen and Kurdistan
DNO has updated its drilling operations in Blocks 43, 47 & 53 in Yemen and in the Erbil license in Kurdistan, where the Erbil-2 well has tested 200-300 bopd of heavy oil. BP to quit five African states
BP stated that it would pull out of five countries in southern Africa, but would still invest in Egypt and South Africa. 
